In my last post I wrote about how my still life photographs are like love stories between me and a moment. If you're not sick of hearing about my time at the Orquevaux residency, I must tell you about another love story - the one between me and the château's roses, which greet you upon arrival, growing slightly wildly in a great ring just past the gatehouse, in front of the stables-turned-art studios.
Of course, upon first seeing these beautiful flowers, I fell in love and wanted to photograph them. But a little inner critic said, no - that's "too easy" or "too obvious" and "I did not come all the way to this residency to 'just make pretty pictures' " so I refrained from spending time longing, and just made myself focus on other things.
But the crush was real, and by the time the last art-making day rolled around, I could no longer resist. I asked the director if I might cut a few stems to bring into the studio, and she graciously said yes. After nearly 2 weeks of admiring the roses, I told that inner critic to stuff it and I gave myself permission to make pictures that were pretty just for the sake of being pretty. I enjoyed the process immensely, celebrating these delicate beauties that had played such a key role in making me feel like I was living in a fairytale for 2 weeks.
Pink roses symbolize joy, happiness, grace and often friendship - how fitting for this place, which brings together strangers from all corners of the world, and after only a short stay, manages to send them away, friends.
To be honest, I think I could have dedicated the entire 2 week residency to photographing those roses, ha! I'm almost curious what that might have looked like, but alas, there's no rewinding time and I had other photographs to make and other lessons to learn while I was there.
One day with the roses truly filled me up as I reached the end of my residency and started to think about heading home to winter.
I'm excited to get home to my studio (soon!) so that I can print some of these. Which do you think would be good printed larger than life, and hung on a wall to keep the warm château magic alive through the coming cold months?
8 Comments
Oct 30, 2023, 11:21:32 AM
Alexis McKeown - Thanks Dane! It's fun to hear people's faves :)
Oct 30, 2023, 11:20:58 AM
Alexis McKeown - Thanks so much, Carms :) xx
Oct 30, 2023, 11:20:36 AM
Alexis McKeown - Thank you, Wanda! :)
Oct 30, 2023, 11:20:00 AM
Alexis McKeown - Thank you so much, Mel!
Oct 30, 2023, 10:22:44 AM
dane - the one with your two hands, and the white sheet background, color version...2nd fav is the one with the "wine" shaped glass
Oct 30, 2023, 10:09:24 AM
Carmen - Eeep! So pretty! Sometimes not being afraid of the easy is the hardest part. Thanks for letting us share in your joy
Oct 28, 2023, 7:45:45 PM
Wanda - I love the one where two hands are stacked and the roses arevlivng nbetween the fingers. , colour.
Oct 28, 2023, 5:46:33 PM
Mel - The roses are so beautiful! I feel in love with them through your photography and story. So pretty My fave was the one in colour cocktail glass on the table with the one rose on the table. Magnifique